A bill for an act requiring school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies related to carrying out a reduction in force.

HF 859 requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt and publish policies for handling layoffs due to budget cuts or enrollment declines. The policies must prioritize staff performance (measured by student outcomes, growth, and evaluations) over seniority when deciding layoffs, and explicitly require schools to consider non-licensed administrative staff before laying off licensed teachers or administrators. Schools must also include clear timelines for notifying affected staff, grievance procedures, and published performance measurement criteria within 10 days of adopting the policy. This bill directly affects school staff, particularly licensed educators and administrators, by changing how layoffs are conducted.